When all our fathers worshipt stocks and stones, Forget not: in thy book record their groans 5 Who were thy fheep, and in their ancient fold Slain by the bloody Piemontese that roll'd Mother with infant down the rocks. Their moans The vales redoubled to the hills, and they To Heav'n. Their martyr'd blood and ashes sow 10 O'er all th' Italian fields, where still doth sway The triple Tyrant; that from these may grow A hundred fold, who having learn'd thy way Early may fly the Babylonian woe. XIX. On his BLINDNESS. When I confider how my light is spent 5 Ere half my days, in this dark world and wide, And that one talent which is death to hide, Lodg'd with me useless, though my foul more bent To serve therewith my Maker, and present My true account, left he returning chide; Doth God exact day-labor, light deny'd, I fondly afk: But patience to prevent That murmur, foon replies, God doth not need Either man's work or his own gifts; who best 10 Bear his mild yoke, they serve him best: his state Is kingly; thousands at his bidding speed, And post o'er land and ocean without reft; They also serve who only stand and wait. To XX. To Mr. LAWRENCE. Lawrence, of virtuous father virtuous fon, Now that the fields are dank, and ways are mire, Where shall we sometimes meet, and by the fire, Help waste a fullen day, what may be won From the hard season gaining? time will run 5 On smoother, till Favonius re-inspire The frozen earth, and clothe in fresh attire The lilly' and rose, that neither sow'd nor spun. What neat repast shall feast us, light and choice, Of Attic tafte, with wine, whence we may rise 10 To hear the lute well touch'd, or artful voice Warble immortal notes and Tuscan air? He who of those delights can judge, and spare To interpose them oft, is not unwife. XXI. To CYRIAC SKINNER. Cyriac, whofe granfire on the royal bench Of British Themis, with no mean applause Pronounc'd and in his volumes taught our laws, Which others at their bar fo often wrench; To day deep thoughts resolve with me to drench In mirth, that after no repenting draws; Let Euclid reft and Archimedes pause, And what the Swede intends, and what the French. To measure life learn thou betimes, and know 9 5 Toward folid good what leads the nearest way; For other things mild Heav'n a time ordains, And disapproves that care, though wise in show, That with fuperfluous burden loads the day, And when God fends a chearful hour, refrains. XXII. To the fame. Cyriac, this three years day these eyes, though clear, To outward view, of blemish or of spot, Bereft of light their seeing have forgot, Nor to their idle orbs doth fight appear Öf fun, or moon, or ftar throughout the year, 5 Or man, or woman. Yet I argue not Against Heav'n's hand or will, nor bate a jot Of heart or hope; but ftill bear up and steer Right onward. What supports me, dost thou ask? The confcience, Friend, to' have loft them overIn liberty's defence, my noble task, ply'd Of which all Europe talks from side to side. (mask This thought might lead me thro' the world's vain Content though blind, had I no better guide. XXIII. On his deceased WIFE. Methought I faw my late efpoused faint Brought to me like Alceftis from the grave, Whom Jove's great fon to her glad husband gave, Rescued from death by force, tho' pale and faint. Mine, Mine, as whom wash'd from spot of child-bed taint 5 Purification in the old Law did fave, And fuch, as yet once more I trust to have Full fight of her in Heav'n without restraint, Came vested all in white, pure as her mind: Her face was veil'd, yet to my fancied fight 10 Love, sweetness, goodness, in her person shin'd So clear, as in no face with more delight. But O as to embrace me fhe inclin'd, I wak'd, fhe fled, and day brought back my night. B PSALMS. PSAL. I. Done into verfe, 1653. Lefs'd is the man who hath not walk'd aftray Of finners hath not ftood, Of scorners hath not fat. and in the feat But in the great delight, Jehovah's law is ever his 5 10 Nor Nor finners in the affembly of just men. PSA L. II. done Aug. 8. 1653. Terzette. HY do the Gentiles tumult, and the nations W Mufe a vain up Muse a vain thing, the kings of th’earth With pow'r,and princes in their congregations (stand Lay deep their plots together through each land Against the Lord and his Meffiah dear? 5 Let us break off, say they, by strength of hand Their bonds, and caft from us, no more to wear, Their twisted cords: He who in Heav'n doth dwell Shall laugh, the Lord fhall fcoff them, then severe Speak to them in his wrath, and in his fell And fierce ire trouble them; but I, faith he, Anointed have my King (though ye rebel) On Sion, my holy' hill. A firm decree I will declare; the Lord to me hath faid, Thou art my Son, I have begotten thee This day; ask of me, and the grant is made; As thy poffeffion I on thee bestow ΙΟ 15 Th' Heathen, and as thy conqueft to be sway'd Earth's utmost bounds: them shalt thou bring full low With iron scepter bruis'd, and them disperse 20 Like to a potter's vessel shiver'd fo. And now be wife at length ye Kings averse, |